Abstracts:We reviewed the available literature on measuring human performance to evaluate human-system interfaces (HSIs), focused on high-fidelity simulations of industrial process control systems, to identify best practices and future directions for research and operations. We searched the available literature and then conducted in-depth review, structured coding, and analysis of 49 articles, which described 42 studies. Human performance measures were classified across six dimensions: task performance, workload, situation awareness, teamwork/collaboration, plant performance, and other cognitive performance indicators. Many studies measured performance in more than one dimension, but few studies addressed more than three dimensions. Only a few measures demonstrated acceptable levels of reliability, validity, and sensitivity in the reviewed studies in this research domain. More research is required to assess the measurement qualities of the commonly used measures. The results can provide guidance to direct future research and practice for human performance measurement in process control HSI design and deployment.

Abstracts:This scoping review identified common barriers and facilitators encountered during the implementation of changes to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and examined their relationship with those encountered in general Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) efforts. Thematic analysis of the literature identified 11 barriers: (i) Lack of time; (ii) Lack of resources; (iii) Lack of communication; (iv) Lack of management support, commitment, and participation; (v) Lack of knowledge and training; (vi) Resistance to change; (vii) Changing work environment; (viii) Scope of activities; (ix) Lack of trust, fear of job loss, or loss of authority; (x) Process deficiencies; and (xi) Difficulty of implementing controls. Three facilitators identified were: (i) Training, knowledge and ergonomists’ support; (ii) Communication, participation and support; and (iii) An effective implementation process. The barriers and facilitators identified were similar to those in general OHS processes. The integration of MSD prevention into a general management system approach may overcome these barriers.

Abstracts:Many organizations relocate to activity-based flexible offices (A-FOs) and the results are mixed. This study aims at identifying factors in the design and implementation process that contribute to perceived performance and environmental satisfaction with A-FOs.

Abstracts:The construction industry takes an orthodox approach to safety: Finding root causes, quantifying risk, and often blaming frontline workers. However, safety has reached a plateau and the limitations of this approach are starting to be acknowledged. A sociotechnical systems approach (as applied in the ConCA model) presents new opportunities to understand accident causation by linking immediate accident circumstances with the distal shaping and originating influences.

Abstracts:The WOMBAT pilot selection test is widely used to select candidates for pilot training programs. Despite use in many countries, little information is available regarding the predictive validity of the test. This study was designed to test the ability of the WOMBAT test to predict performance outcomes in a sample of ab-initio pilots. Sixty students commenced the study in 3 cohorts, and completed the WOMBAT test before their performance in the training program was evaluated through flight time to solo, flight time to licence level achievement, and instructor ratings of performance. Higher WOMBAT total scores were significantly related to reduced time to solo, achieving flight licences, as well as some early ratings of performance by flight instructors. Further research now needs to examine the exact nature of the skills and abilities that the test indexes in order to further improve pilot selection and training procedures.

Abstracts:The purpose of this paper is to systematically examine available empirical evidence on the impact of human factors (HF) in the design and management of manufacturing operations on system quality performance. A systematic review was conducted to map the linkages between the human-system fit in the design of operations systems (OS) with production quality. A total of 73 empirical studies were identified linking HF to OS performance in manufacturing. Quality risk factors included HF aspects in product design, process design and workstation design of the manufacturing OS. Quality deficits were associated with undesirable human effects of workload like fatigue and injury-related risk factors. Forty-six percent of the studies reported on efforts to improve HF in the OS with effect sizes for quality improvements reaching up to 86%. The paper documents available quality risk factors in the design of OS. It also provides a conceptual framework explaining HF-Quality linkage.

Abstracts:Mental workload is an important factor during driving, as both high and low levels may result in driver error. This research examined the mental workload of drivers caused by changes in road environment and how such changes impact upon behaviour, physiological responses, eye movements and brain activity. The experiment used functional near infrared spectroscopy to record prefrontal cortex activation associated with changes in mental workload during simulated driving. Increases in subjective ratings of mental workload caused by changes in road type were accompanied by increases in skin conductance, acceleration signatures and horizontal spread of search. Such changes were also associated with increases in the concentration of oxygenated haemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex. Mental workload fluctuates during driving. Such changes can be identified using a range of measures which could be used to inform the development of in-vehicle devices and partially autonomous systems.

Abstracts:Clothing comfort is determined by multiple material and design factors. Wetness at the skin-clothing interface mainly impacts wear comfort. The current study investigated the combined effect of fabric contact area, fabric absolute sweat content and fabric moisture saturation percentage on wetness and stickiness sensations, during exercise. Moreover, factors causing wear (dis)comfort during exercise were identified. Higher fabric saturation percentage induced greater stickiness sensation, despite lower fabric contact area and absolute sweat content (typically associated with lower stickiness). Wetness perception did not change between fabrics with different saturation percentages, contact areas and sweat contents. Therefore, fabric saturation percentage mainly affects stickiness sensation of wet fabrics, overruling the impact of fabric contact area and absolute sweat content. No overall model of wear discomfort across all data could be developed, however, models for different time points were produced, with texture and stickiness sensations being the best predictors of wear discomfort at baseline and during exercise, respectively. This suggests that the factors determining clothing (dis)comfort are dynamics and alter importance during exercise activity.

Abstracts:Mobile phone use is known to be associated with musculoskeletal pain in the neck and upper extremities because of related physical risk factors, including awkward postures. A chair that provides adequate support (armrests and back support) may reduce biomechanical loading in the neck and shoulder regions. Therefore, we conducted a repeated-measures laboratory study with 20 participants (23 ± 1.9 years; 10 males) to determine whether armrests and back support during mobile phone use reduced head/neck flexion, gravitational moment, and muscle activity in the neck and shoulder regions. The results showed that the chair support (armrests and back support) reduced head/neck flexion (p < 0.001), gravitational moment (p < 0.001), and muscle activity (p < 0.01) in the neck and shoulder regions significantly compared to no chair support. These results indicate that a chair with adequate support can be an effective intervention to reduce the biomechanical exposures and associated muscular pain in the neck and shoulders during mobile phone use.